UEFA Spare Croatia U-21 from Harsh Punishment

The Croatian U-21 football team still have their European Championship dream alive after escaping with a fine for an administrative error made during the team’s 2-1 victory over Estonia recently…

UEFA launched an investigation after Croatia player Ivan Fiolić came on in the second half of the match despite not being registered with UEFA before the match. The UEFA Disciplinary Commission today fined the Croatian Football Federation 5,000 euros for the mistake.

Croatia does not have a good record with UEFA disciplinary hearings. In March Dinamo Zagreb’s U-19 side were kicked out of the UEFA Youth Champions League after playing an unregistered player in their quarter-final match. Many thought that Estonia would be awarded the match 3-0 so Tuesday’s decision will come as a relief to the federation and the players.

Croatia now still lead Group 6 with 18 points after 7 matches, 5 points ahead of Sweden and Spain.